WPDSA Online Driver's Education Program
| Driver Vocabulary |
A | ||
Acceleration Lane | part of a highway system entrance that allows you to increase speed to that of traffic on the highway system. | |
| Active Restraint | restraint device that you have to engage to use. | |
| Adaptive Equipment | equipment installed in a vehicle for a driver with disabilities. | |
| Added Lane Area | an area where another traffic lane starts. | |
| Advisory Speed Limit | speed suggested for a certain area such as curves, hills, and other areas where your visablity is limited. | |
| Angle Parking | parking your vehicle diagonally to the curb. | |
| Antilock Braking System (ABS) | computer controlled system to help drivers use controlled braking and steering while stopping quickly. | |
| Antitheft Device | a device used to protect the vehicle from theft. | |
| Assigned-Risk Insurance | provides insurance coverage for drivers that are high risk. | |
| Automatic Assistance Notification | service that automatically notifies police, fire, or rescue services if you are involved in a crash. | |
| Automatic Transmission | vehicle that automatically selcts the proper forward driving gear. | |
B | ||
| Basic Speed Law | speed that is safe for the present conditions. | |
| Big Rig | another name for a semi-tractor trailer. | |
| Blind Spot Area | area not seen by looking only in the vehicle mirrors. | |
| Blood Alcohol Concentration | percent of alcohol in a person's bloodstream. | |
| Blow Out | occurs when a tire on a moving vehicle losses air pressure suddenly. | |
| Blue Book, Kelly | lists the average selling price of used vehicles. | |
| Brake Fade | condition that occurs from long, continuous, hard braking. | |
| Bucket Truck | vehicle with a bucket lift to reach high areas and/or objects. | |
| Bus Stop | place where people can get on or off a city or school bus. | |
C | ||
| Canceling the Signal | manually turning the turn signal off. | |
| Car Pooling | several people commuting to work or school in the same vehicle. | |
| Carbon Monoxide | colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that is give off by the vehicle's exhaust system. | |
| Centrifugal Force | force that tends to push a moving object out of a curve and into a straight path. | |
| Chain Reaction | type of collision involving may vehicles. | |
| Chronic Illness | an illness that lasts for a long time. | |
| Collision | when a vehicle hits something it was not suppose to hit. | |
| Color Blindness | not being able to tell one color from another very easily. | |
| Common Speed | speed used by most drivers who drive on a roadway. | |
| Compromise Space | reduce risk by giving more space to the greatest hazard. | |
| Console | compartment mounted between the front seats. | |
| Controlled Access Highway | type of highway system where vehicles can enter or leave only at an interchange (on and off ramps). | |
| Controlled Braking | reducing speed quickly while keeping control of the vehicle. | |
| Controlled Intersection | intersection that has traffic lights or stop signs controlling traffic. | |
| Construction Zone | area where there is construction on or near the roadway. | |
| Covering the Brake | placing your foot over the brake pedal to be prepared to stop. | |
| Cross Traffic | place where vehicles cross your path of travel. | |
| Countersteer | to turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction. | |
D | ||
| Deceleration Lane | added lane on a highway system in which to slow down. | |
| Decide (SIPDE) | a step that a driver takes to select the best thing to do. A driver determines what needs to be done. | |
| Deductible | amount of money you pay after a crash that the insurance doe not pay for. | |
| Defensive Driving | driving to save time. lives, and money. | |
| Delayed Green Traffic Signal | a traffic light allowing oncoming traffic to proceed before other traffic. | |
| Depreciation | decrease of vehicle vaule due to it's age. | |
| Depressant | a drug that slows down the central nervous system. | |
| Depth Perception | abiltiy to judge the distance between you and other objects. | |
| Designated Driver | a person that does not drink alcohol at social functions in order to be a safe driver for others. | |
| Divided Highway | a highway system that lanes of traffic are divided by a median. | |
| Double Parking | parking illegally in the traffic lane next to a vehicle already parallel parked. | |
| Downshifting | shifting your vehicle from a higher gear to a lower gear. | |
| Drafting | following another vehicle closely to avoid a head wind. | |
| Draw Bridge | a roadway bridge that lifts up to let ships and boats through. | |
| Driving Task | all the actions a driver takes to drive a vehicle safely. | |
E | ||
| Emergency Brake | brake system that uses a cable, now called parking brake. | |
| Emergency Flare | warning device set at least 500 feet behind a disabled vehicle. | |
| Emergency Flashers | warning device on your vehicle to warn other drivers that your vehicle is a hazard. | |
| Emergency Scene | an area that an emergency has happed in. | |
| Emergency Vehicle Sensor | allows emergency vehicles to change the traffic light to GREEN. | |
| Emissions Inspection | test to determine how much pollution your vehicle gives off. | |
| Enforcement | to up-hold the laws passed by the local, state, and US government. | |
| Entrance Ramp | ramp that gives you access to the highway system. | |
| Escape Path | a place to go in case of an unexpected conflict. | |
| Escort Vehicle | a vehicle that leads or follows a vehicle carrying wide or oversized loads. | |
| Execute (SIPDE) | when a driver performs the proper car control. | |
| Exit Ramp | ramp that leads vehicles off the highway system. | |
| Express Lane | highway system lane with few exits, used during rush hour traffic. | |
F | ||
| Field Sobriety Test | roadside test a police officer gives you to detect a driver who is driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. | |
| Fishtail | when the rear of the vehicle slides from side to side. | |
| Flagperson | a person who directs traffic in a work/construction zone. | |
| Flash Flood | sudden rush of water due to excessive rain. | |
| Flashing traffic signal | flashing light that indicates stop or use caution. | |
| Flashing Yellow Traffic Signal/Light | a traffic light that indicates you need to slow down and proceed with caution. | |
| Force of Impact | force with which one object hits another object. | |
| Fresh Green Traffic Signal/Light | a traffic light that has just turned GREEN from RED. | |
| Friction | force that keeps each tire from sliding on the roadway. | |
| Friction Point | in a manual transmission car, the stage at which the engine and transmission combine to begin moving a vehicle. | |
G | ||
| Gap in Traffic | the distance between your vehicle and other vehicles. | |
| Glare Recovery Time | the time your eyes take to regain clear vision after looking at bright lights. | |
| Good Samaritan Law | law that protects bystanders when giving aid to those injured. | |
| Gravity | force that pulls all objects towards the earth. | |
| Green Traffic Light | a traffic signal indicating you may proceed with caution when the way is clear and safe. | |
| Ground Viewing | quickly looking at the road in front of your vehicle. | |
| Guide Sign | sign that gives you information on location and direction. | |
H | ||
| Hand Over Hand Steering | a method of steering the vehicle using the top of the steering wheel and moving one hand over the other hand until the steering wheel is turned to desired position. | |
| Hidden Driveway | a driveway that is not easily seen from the roadway. | |
| Highway Hypnosis | condition in which a driver is lulled into an inattentive, drowsy state while driving for a long distance or period of time. | |
| Highway Transportation System | a system of moving people and goods (cargo) from place to place safely, cheaply, and quickly. | |
| Hit and Run Crash | crash wher one of the vehicles involved does not stay at the crash scene. | |
| Hitch Hiking | to travel by asking for and receiving rides in passing vehicles. | |
| Hydroplane | tires riding on the surface of standing water. | |
I | ||
| Identify (SIPDE) | the SIPDE step a driver takes to recognize potential hazards. | |
| Implied Consent Law | by accepting a driver's license, a person agrees to a BAC test if asked by a police officer. | |
| Inhibitions | inner forces of personality that hold back or restrain one's impulsive behavior. | |
| Interest | amount of money you pay to have a loan. | |
| International Symbols | same symbols used on signs in many different countries. | |
| Intoxilyzer | a machine that determines a driver's BAC by the amount of infrared light that is absorbed by the breath. | |
| Instrument Panel | panel in front of driver that shows the vehicle gauges and lights. | |
J | ||
| Jack, Tire | device used to lift the vehicle to change a flat tire. | |
| Jackknifing | what might happen if a semi-truck loses control of the trailer. | |
| Jaywalking | crossing a street as a pedestrain without regard to the rules. | |
| Joining Traffic | turning right or left into lanes of traffic to join other traffic on that street. | |
K | ||
L | ||
| Lane Restriction | something that keeps you from using a certain traffic lane. | |
| Lane Selection | choosing the best traffic lane to use. | |
| Lane Signal | a signal that directs the flow of traffic in a lane. | |
| Leasing | the long term renting of a vehicle. | |
| Lending Agencies | places such as banks and credit unions to borrow money from for vehicle loans. | |
| Liability Insurance | type of insurance that pays for damage you cause to other people's property or injuries to other people. | |
| Line of Sight | the distance you can see ahead of you while driving. | |
| Locking the Brakes | applying and holding the brake pedal hard. | |
| Lug Nuts | small pieces of hardware that hold the wheel on the vehicle. | |
M | ||
| Manual Transmission | a vehicle that requires the driver to choose the proper forward gear. Also known as a stick shift vehicle. | |
| Mass Transportation | several methods of moving large numbers of people. city transit, subways, etc. | |
| Maximum Speed Limit | fastest legal speed you can go during good conditions. | |
| Median | area on the highway system that separates two-way traffic. | |
| Merging Area | part of the highway system entrance area you enter at the same speed as traffic in the right lane. | |
| Merging Traffic | traffic that is entering your roadway. | |
| Mile Marker | a sign that helps drivers locate where they are on the highway system. | |
| Minimum Speed Limit | slowest legal speed you can go during good conditions. | |
| Minimize Hazards | when you reduce risk by putting more space between you and another hazard. | |
N | ||
| Night Blindness | not being able to see well when driving during hours of darkness. | |
| Nystagmus | the involuntary jerking of the eyes. | |
O | ||
| Off-Tracking | moving into the left lane to make a wide right turn. | |
| Operating Under the Influence | driving with a BAC of .07% or lower in WI. | |
| Operating While Intoxicated | driving with a BAC of .08% or higher in WI. | |
| Orderly Visual Search Pattern | looking at critical areas in a regular sequence. | |
| Over Steering | turning the steering wheel too much when turning resulting in making a sharp turn. | |
| Overdriving Headlights | when you are not able to stop within your headlight spray. | |
| Overinflated Tire | a vehicle tire with too much air in it. | |
| Owners Manual | book the owner gets that explains the features of the vehicle. | |
P | ||
| Palming the Streering Wheel | a method of steering using only one hand without gripping the steering wheel. | |
| Parallel Parking | parking the vehicle on the roadway parallel to the curb. | |
| Parking Brake | brake system that uses a cable, also known as Emergency Brake. | |
| Passive Restraint | a restraint device that works automatically. | |
| Pedestrian Signal | traffic signal syaing walk or don't walk used for pedistrians. | |
| Peripheral Vision | the side vision a person has to the right and left. | |
| Perpendicular Parking | parking at a right angle to the curb. Also known as straight parking. | |
| Personal Reference Points | a spot a driver uses as a reference point for certain vehicles. | |
| Point-of-no-Return | point beyond which a driver can no longer stop safely without entering an intersection. | |
| Policy, Insurance | agreement between you and the insurance company defining the terms and conditions of the insurance coverage. | |
| Power Steering Failure | loss of power steering due to engine or power steering pump failure. | |
| Predict (SIPDE) | the step a driver takes to guess what might happen while driving. | |
| Premium | amount you pay to the insurance company for the insurance coverage. | |
| Pre-Trip Inspection | checking the vehicle for problems before driving the vehicle. | |
| Preventive Maintenance | care given to a vehicle to keep problems from occurring. | |
| Protective Gear | gear used by cycle operators to protect them is cause of a fall or crash. | |
| Pull Out Area | an area where slower traffic can move to allow faster traffic to pass. | |
| Pumping the Brakes | a process of applying the brakes, letting go, applying the brakes to help with controlled braking. Do not do with ABS brake systems. | |
Q | ||
R | ||
| Railroad Crossing | an area where trains cross the roadway. | |
| Reaction Time | the time it take to react to something. | |
| Red Traffic Signal/Light | a traffic light that indicates you to to stop and wait. | |
| Reduced Visibility | unable to see clearly 500 feet or more ahead of your vehicle. | |
| Reference Point | a spot you will use as a reference point for any type of vehicle. Normally used to help the driver park the vehicle. | |
| Regulatory Sign | sign that informs you of traffic laws and regulations. | |
| Riding the Brake | placing your left foot on the brake pedal while driving. | |
| Riding the Clutch | placing your left foot on the clutch pedal while driving. | |
| Right of Way | privilege to use the roadway before other vehicles. | |
| Right turn on Red | making a right turn, when safe, at a red traffic signal. | |
| Road Kill | dead animals on or along side the roadway. | |
| Roadside Assistance | type of insurance to help you when you have a vehicle break down. | |
| Roadway Marking | lines, words, and symbols painted on the roadway. | |
| Roadway Users | the people who use the HTS by walking, riding, or driving. | |
| Rocking the Car/Vehicle | maneuver to free the vehicle from snow, mud, or sand. Moving the vehicle forward, backward, forward over and over until the vehicle is freed. | |
| Rolling Stop | not stopping completely when required to stop. | |
| Roundabouts | a circular intersection where drivers travel counterclockwise around center island. | |
| Rumble Strips | rough areas of the roadway warning a driver to slow or stop ahead. | |
| RV | (Recreational Vehicle) a vehicle used for camping and traveling in. | |
S | ||
| School Crossing | an area where children cross the street by a school. | |
| School Zone | a 2 to 3 block area by a school where you need to be alert for children. | |
| Search (SIPDE) | the step a driver takes to notice hazards and other things ahead. | |
| Selective Seeing | looking at those items that will affect your driving path. | |
| Separate Hazards | adjusting your vehicle speed to handle one hazard at a time. | |
| Service Center | business that repairs vehicles. | |
| Service Sign | a sign that gives you information about food, gas, lodging or other services. | |
| Shared Left Turn Lane | lane that is used by both directions of traffic to make a left turn off a roadway. | |
| Shift Indicator | indicator that shows which gear the vehicle is in. | |
| Shuffling the Steering Wheel | a method of steering using the bottom of the steering wheel without taking your hands off the steering wheel. | |
| S.I.P.D.E Process | an organized system of seeing, thinking, and doing. | |
| Space Cushion | open space around your vehicle as you drive. | |
| Stale Green Traffic Signal/Light | a traffic signal that has been GREEN for some time and is about to change. | |
| Sticker Price | the asking price listed on a vehicle that is for sale. | |
| Stop Arm | a stop sign that swings out on a school bus to stop traffic. | |
| Stop Gate | a gate at a railroad crossing, draw bridge or other area that lowers to stop traffic from entering the area. | |
| Stopping Time | the time it takes to stop the vehicle. | |
| SUV | Sport Utility Vehicle is a combination truck and minivan. | |
| Switchback | series of sharp turns, often found in mountainous areas. | |
T | ||
| Tailgating | following another vehicle at an unsafe distance. Also known as following too closely. | |
| Tilt Steering | a steering wheel that is adjustable. | |
| T-Intersection | an intersection that has only one other roadway meeting it with one of the roadways ending at the intersection. | |
| Tire Chains | devices placed on tires to improve traction on snow and ice. | |
| Towing Insurance | insurance that pays to have your vehicle towed if needed. | |
| Tracking | looking far ahead of the vehicle where you want the vehicle to go. | |
| Tracking Device | a radio device used to locate a vehicle. | |
| Trade In | giving your vehicle to the dealer for a different vehicle. | |
| Traffic Check | checking for traffic and other things in your mirrors and blind spot areas. | |
| Traffic Circles | intersection that forms when several roadways meet and form a circle. | |
| Traffic Signal | a traffic light, arrow, lane signal, or pedestrian signal used to direct the flow of traffic. | |
| Tune-Up | cleaning, checking, and repairing vehicle parts to keep bigger problems from developing. | |
| Tunnel Vision | narrow field of vision, does not have good peripheral vision. | |
| Turnabout | maneuver for turning the vehicle around. | |
U | ||
| Uncontrolled Intersection | an intersection that has no traffic lights or signs controlling traffic. | |
| Under Steering | not turning the steering wheel enough when turning resulting in making a wide turn. | |
| Underinflated Tire | a vehicle tire with not enough air in it. | |
| Unprotected Left Turn | left turn made at an intersection that does not have a special turn light. | |
V | ||
| Vehicle Code | laws passed by the legislature to control the H.T.S. (Highway Transportation System) | |
| Vehicle Dealer | a person who sells vehicles for a job. | |
| Vehicle Title | state certificate showing ownership of a vehicle. | |
| Velocitation | condition in which a driver unconsciously drives too fast after leaving a high speed roadway. | |
| Visual Acuity | the ability to see things clearly both near and far away. | |
W | ||
| Warning Lights | lights in the vehicle dash that indicate a problem. | |
| Warning Sign | a sign that alerts drivers of hazadous areas or road conditions or things you need to be alert for. | |
| Warranty | written agreement between the buyer and seller for repairs to the vehicle if needed. | |
| Wide Load | a vehicle that is wider than the normal traffic lane. | |
| Wind Effect | the gust of wind from a passing larger vehicle. | |
| Wolf Pack | group of vehicles bunched together on a highway system. | |
X | ||
Y | ||
| Yellow Traffic Signal/Light | a traffic signal/light that indicates you need to slow down and prepare to stop. | |
| Yield | to allow another vehicle or pedestrian to go before you. | |
Z | ||
# | ||
| 12 O'Clock Steering Position | placing your left hand at the top of the steering wheel. | |